Tag: young adult

Review: The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line

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Thousand Dollar Tan Line, TheRob Thomas and Jennifer Graham, The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line

***Warning: Spoilers for the “Veronica Mars” TV show and movie!***

This first Veronica Mars book picks up right after the movie left off: Veronica has just turned down a lucrative job as a lawyer in NYC to return to her hometown of Neptune, California, as a private investigator. Unfortunately, business isn’t so great, due to her father’s extended recovery (after being hit by a car in the movie) and Neptune’s continued hostility toward her. But when spring break arrives in Neptune with its drinking, drugs, and all-night partying, Veronica soon has more work than she bargained for. A freshman girl goes missing, and the oafish local sheriff does nothing to look for her, claiming that she probably just wandered off on her own. But after speaking to the girl’s friends, Veronica is sure that something awful happened to her. Did her on-again, off-again boyfriend lose his temper one night? Or did someone abduct her from the party she attended on the last night her friends saw her? As Veronica investigates the case, she runs into several people from her past, including Eli “Weevil” Navarro, Dick Casablancas, and her estranged mother — not to mention her best friends Wallace and Mac. But when a second girl goes missing, Veronica must focus all of her attention on the case, or risk becoming a victim herself.

I’ve long been a fan of the “Veronica Mars” TV show, and I was very excited about the movie that continued her story 10 years later. Now showrunner Rob Thomas has responded to the show’s following by writing books that continue the story even further. I definitely think that fans of “Veronica Mars” will like this book, which honestly feels just like a vintage episode of the show. Veronica may be older, but she still has the same tough-as-nails persona, always ready with a sarcastic quip to mask any hint of vulnerability. But this book does open some old wounds for her, as she once again meets the mother who abandoned her. On the one hand, she wants to protect herself and is rightly suspicious of her mother’s motives; on the other hand, part of her wants to reach out and forgive. I hope subsequent books continue to explore this relationship, which could lead to some interesting character growth on Veronica’s part. I was a little disappointed that some of my beloved characters from the show got short shrift, particularly Logan (deployed overseas) and Keith (still recuperating), who each only got a couple of scenes. As for the mystery, I thought it was very clever, and I was definitely surprised by the reveal at the end. So I would definitely recommend this to “Veronica Mars” fans, but it probably doesn’t work very well as a standalone novel.

Review: Illusions of Fate

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Illusions of FateKiersten White, Illusions of Fate

Jessamin has recently left her sunny island home of Melei to study at the prestigious university in Albion. But she hates the cold Alben weather and the narrow-minded Alben prejudices she is constantly exposed to because of her heritage and skin color. She is determined to endure the next few years and then leave Albion forever, but a chance meeting with a charming nobleman changes the entire course of her life. Finn Ackerley is attractive and wealthy, and he seems to be genuinely interested in Jessamin. He also happens to be an extremely powerful magician, and he possesses secrets that could have dire consequences for both Albion and the entire world. As Finn fights to save his country against the wicked, scheming Lord Downpike, Jessamin is caught in the middle. And when Lord Downpike discovers her relationship with Finn, he doesn’t hesitate to use her as a pawn in his power struggle. Can Jessamin outwit this deadly adversary and help Finn, all while remaining true to herself?

Historical fantasy is a genre I really enjoy, so I was predisposed to like this book, but I was a bit disappointed in the execution. There are a lot of really great ideas in the novel, but I wanted almost all of them to be explored in a lot more depth! For example, even though the book is set in a fictional world, it’s clearly meant to explore the issue of colonialism, but that side of things felt a bit superficial to me. I also loved the magical elements of this world, but in my opinion, the book doesn’t delve deeply enough into the history or the current power struggle with magic. The romance between Jessamin and Finn was adorable, but it also seemed fairly lightweight; I never truly connected with the characters or had particularly strong emotions about them getting together. Finally, the plot is resolved very abruptly in the end. I think all of these issues could have been resolved if the book had been longer, and I feel bad for nitpicking so much because that might have been the publisher’s fault rather than the author’s. And it is a light, enjoyable read; it’s just a bit insubstantial for my taste. But I would certainly try something else by Kiersten White in the future.

Review: Rook

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RookSharon Cameron, Rook

Centuries after a shift in the Earth’s magnetic poles triggered an apocalyptic event, civilization has been rebuilt, but almost every form of technology is regarded with grave suspicion. In the Sunken City (formerly known as Paris), a revolution has established an oppressive new regime, and everyone who opposes it is ruthlessly executed. But one person dares to flout the authority of this new regime by stealing political prisoners away from their very jail cells: the Red Rook, who boldly leaves a crow’s feather tipped in red in the place of each escapee. No one suspects that the Red Rook is a teenage girl, Sophia Bellamy, who lives in the neighboring Commonwealth. With the help of her brother Tom, her friend Spear, and a small band of loyal friends, Sophia hopes to rescue as many doomed people from the Sunken City as she can. But her plans are complicated by her betrothal to the empty-headed social butterfly René Hasard. Despite her distrust of him, however, Sophia can’t help being attracted — especially when she discovers that his foppish persona might be an act. When a mission goes awry and Tom is captured, Sophia is forced to ask for René’s help, but can she really trust him?

Obviously, this book is an homage to one of my very favorite books, The Scarlet Pimpernel, but I was pleased to discover that it’s very much its own story. The basic idea of a daring rescuer with a secret identity is the same, but the plot diverges very significantly from the original story. I wouldn’t have minded a stricter retelling, but I’m glad this book was able to be inspired by the Pimpernel without simply copying it. I’m not sure how I feel about the science fiction elements; technically we’re in a post-apocalyptic world, but that doesn’t really seem to be necessary to the story, and it sometimes felt distracting. On the other hand, there are a few fun moments where the characters speak reverently about little bits of neon plastic, which are great treasures in this anti-technological world. Overall, I enjoyed both the action-filled plot and the romance, although the latter was a bit TOO romance-y for me (a little too much russet hair and piercing blue eyes and whatnot). I also think René’s true nature could have been left in a little more doubt, which would have increased the dramatic tension. But I did like this book a lot, and Pimpernel fans should definitely check it out!

Review: The Boy Next Door

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Boy Next Door, TheKatie Van Ark, The Boy Next Door

Maddy and Gabe have been next-door neighbors, best friends, and figure skating partners for basically their entire lives. They’re a talented duo, and Maddy is determined to make it all the way to the Olympics. She’s also determined to make Gabe wake up and realize that they would be perfect partners off the ice as well. But Gabe is a player, hooking up with lots of girls and ditching them after two weeks, often getting Maddy to dump them on his behalf. He cares deeply for Maddy — even more than he wants to admit to himself — but he’s trying to think of her as a sister, because he doesn’t want to mess up the relationship and partnership that they already have. Unfortunately, their skating coach is making them learn a new routine inspired by Romeo and Juliet, which only intensifies their complicated feelings for each other. As Maddy and Gabe struggle with the shifting boundaries of their relationship, they also worry about how a potential romance will affect their chances of success on the ice.

As you’ve probably noticed, I’m not someone who believes that adults should steer clear of young adult books. I read lots of YA, and lots of it is very good. But as I read this book, I couldn’t help feeling that I was a bit too old for this type of romantic angst. Despite Gabe’s initial protests, the romance between him and Maddy heats up very quickly, and by the end of the book, they’re even talking about getting engaged — while still in high school. The novel presents this as romantic, but to me, it made both characters seem so naive and immature. (I apologize if this offends anyone. I certainly do think it’s possible for high-school sweethearts to have healthy, long-lasting marriages. But in this case, let’s just say I wasn’t convinced.) I also think the author missed a few opportunities to add depth to her characters. In particular, it’s clear that Gabe isn’t as motivated to become an Olympic figure skater as Maddy, and at one point he expresses an interest in becoming an architect. Having him struggle more with his life path, and perhaps even having him argue with Maddy about it, would have made his character more interesting. Unfortunately, the book instead reduces both him and Maddy to flat characters who embody all the stereotypes of teen romance. It was a light, fast-moving read, but I was definitely less than impressed.

Review: Every Breath

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Every BreathEllie Marney, Every Breath

Rachel Watts has recently moved with her family from their farm in rural Australia to the big city of Melbourne. Watts hates almost everything about her new home — everything, that is, except her neighbor and best friend, James Mycroft. Mycroft is brilliant but unstable, often conducting dangerous scientific experiments in his bedroom. He’s also alone nearly all the time, since his parents both died years ago, and the aunt with whom he lives is never around. Nevertheless, despite the concerns of Watts’ parents, she and Mycroft are inseparable. So when someone they know — a homeless man named Dave who hangs out near the local zoo — is brutally murdered, they decide to investigate the case together. The police assume it was a random act of violence, but Watts and Mycroft suspect that there may have been a specific motive behind Dave’s death. As they investigate, Watts and Mycroft also grow closer, but they both fear the consequences of changing their relationship.

As you might have guessed from the characters’ names, this book owes more than a little to Sherlock Holmes, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it! Though the hero’s name is Mycroft, he possesses all of the frenetic energy, vividness, and charisma of Sherlock. Obviously he would be a pain to live with in real life, but on the page, he’s an utterly compelling character — I can totally see why Watts is harboring more-than-friendly feelings towards him! I liked Watts a lot, too; she provides a much-needed voice of reason to reel Mycroft in when he goes off the rails. The mystery aspect of the novel is well done, although I suspected the culprit fairly early in the book. And in another nod to Arthur Conan Doyle, there’s a dog who plays an important role in the solution of the crime. While the book’s major plotlines are all resolved in the end, the door is definitely open for a sequel — which I have already pre-ordered! I’m not sure why this book struck me so positively, except to say that I enjoyed spending time with these characters and look forward to reading about their further adventures.

Review: I’ll Meet You There

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I'll Meet You ThereHeather Demetrios, I’ll Meet You There

Skylar Evans can’t wait to escape from her dead-end hometown of Creek View, California. Fortunately, she’s just graduated from high school and is bound for art school in the fall, so she only has to survive one more summer working at the ironically-named Paradise Motel. Meanwhile, Josh Mitchell thought he had already escaped Creek View by joining the Marines, but when his leg was blown off in Afghanistan, he was forced to return and face a wildly different future than the one he expected. Now Josh is doing odd jobs at the Paradise, and Skylar finds herself trying to reach out, because it seems as though the leg is the least of Josh’s problems. Skylar and Josh begin a tentative friendship that eventually deepens into something more. But as Skylar’s mom relapses into alcoholism and Josh struggles to deal with his physical and psychological wounds, their fledgling relationship falters under the strain. Eventually, Skylar and Josh must both develop the courage to face the future — together or apart.

I like YA contemporary romances when they’re done right, and this one is definitely done right. I found both Skylar and Josh to be extremely sympathetic characters, so their romance was easy to root for. That’s not to say that they’re perfect human beings — far from it. Skylar is so focused on her desire to get out of Creek View that she subconsciously looks down on her friends who don’t want — or simply can’t afford — to leave. Meanwhile, Josh spends the first part of the novel engaging in a lot of self-destructive behaviors. While his choices are understandable given what he’s been through, they certainly don’t make him a likable character at first. I also liked the fact that the romance between Skylar and Josh doesn’t magically solve all their problems. They both still have a lot of issues to work through, and they have goals and plans that don’t revolve around each other. Ultimately, I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a good love story; it’s one of the best YA contemporary novels I’ve read in a while.

Review: Seraphina

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SeraphinaRachel Hartman, Seraphina

The kingdom of Goredd is populated with both humans and dragons, who manage to live peacefully together — for the moment. Not so long ago, the two sides were at war, and even now, the peace between them is very fragile. Dragons are intelligent creatures who can take on human bodies, so they must wear special bells to differentiate themselves from their human neighbors. In this world, Seraphina has a secret that places her in a uniquely dangerous position: she is half-human, half-dragon. No one knew that her mother was a dragon — not even her father, when they first married — and Seraphina is dedicated to preserving the secret at all costs. She seeks to be invisible and hides the telltale scales covering her arms and waist. But when a member of the royal family is murdered in a suspiciously draconian way, she finds herself caught between the two sides of her heritage. As she begins to investigate the murder, with the help of dashing Prince Lucian Kiggs, she uncovers some unexpected secrets about her family’s past and her own identity. But can she solve the mystery before war erupts between humans and dragons once again?

This is a book that a lot of people love, but I must admit, it took me a while to get into it. I was intrigued by the world immediately, being a sucker for political intrigue, and I liked the unusual portrayal of dragons. In this book, they are hyper-rational creatures who thrive as scholars and musicians, but they lack human emotions and empathy. Nevertheless, some of the dragons in this book become more human-like the longer they associate with humans, and these transformations are a great source of conflict. I also really liked that the conflict between humans and dragons isn’t one-sided at all. Both sides contain extremists who would like to return to all-out war, but there are also moderates who want to preserve the peace. As I said, I did have some trouble connecting with the book at first, and I think it’s because an awful lot of information has to be conveyed up front in order to understand what’s going on. Once the story gets moving, though, things pick up considerably, and I really enjoyed the story overall. The sequel, Shadow Scale, just came out, and I look forward to reading it!

Review: Left Drowning

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Left DrowningJessica Park, Left Drowning

College senior Blythe McGuire has recently suffered the loss of both her parents in a tragic house fire. Numbed by her grief, she has basically stopped going to classes, and she drowns her sorrows in alcohol and partying. But when she meets gorgeous fellow senior Chris Shepherd, she begins to feel a part of herself coming to life again. She immediately feels a strong physical attraction to him — an attraction he seems to reciprocate — but he tells her right away that he’s not looking for a relationship. Nevertheless, Blythe continues to spend time with him and his siblings, who soon become her best friends. The Shepherds shower her with love and acceptance, and she eventually begins to deal with her grief and guilt over her parents’ death. But it soon becomes apparent that Chris is also dealing with traumatic experiences from his past, and in fighting his own internal battles, he pushes Blythe further and further away.

I really enjoyed Jessica Park’s novel Flat-Out Love, so I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed. I liked Flat-Out Love for the realistic central characters and the slow-burning romance, but this book has two-dimensional protagonists who fall in “love” instantaneously. I can’t stand it when fictional characters fall in love for no other reason than because it’s destiny, but that’s essentially what happens in this book. Other than that and their shared lust for each other, I have no idea what their supposed love is based on. And unfortunately, the entire book rests on the romance; if that doesn’t work for you, there’s nothing else to hold your attention. Moreover, I wasn’t a fan of the explicit sex scenes in this book — and there are a lot of them. Overall, I wanted to like this book, but I ended up with pretty much the opposite experience. I’m definitely getting rid of my copy!

Review: Courtship & Curses

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Courtship and CursesMarissa Doyle, Courtship & Curses

Lady Sophie Rosier is about to make her debut during the London Season, but what should be an exciting prospect is sad and scary for her. Her beloved mother has recently passed away, and the illness that claimed her life has also left Sophie with a deformed leg and an unattractive limp. Sophie is painfully aware that the denizens of society will view her differently; she won’t even be able to dance at the Season’s balls and other entertainments. Moreover, Sophie is hiding the fact that she has magical abilities, since witchcraft is feared and frowned upon by society. But when certain members of the War Office begin falling victim to mysterious “accidents,” Sophie is able to perceive that magic is involved. With the help of her best friend Parthenope, as well as a potential suitor, Sophie must discover the culprit and save the Duke of Wellington himself.

This book contains a lot of my favorite things: the Napoleonic era, an underdog heroine, magic, and romance. As such, I found it an enjoyable read, but certain things didn’t quite gel for me. First, I’m a little bit confused about the role of magic in the novel. It seems to be a social taboo — when one character learns of Sophie’s abilities, he is absolutely repulsed by it — but the why is unclear. Plus, Sophie’s own mother taught her to cultivate her abilities, which seems like a bad idea if society shuns practitioners of magic. I also would have liked a little more tension in the romance between Sophie and her paramour. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the more lighthearted moments in the book, especially those involving the mischievous Parthenope! Overall, this was a fun read, and if a sequel appears, I’ll most likely read it as well.

Review: The Ruby Red Trilogy

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Ruby RedSapphire BlueEmerald Green

Kerstin Gier, Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue, and Emerald Green (trans. Anthea Bell)

Gwyneth Shepherd belongs to an unusual family: every generation, one of its members has the ability to travel through time. Gwyneth has always assumed that her cousin Charlotte has this gift, and Charlotte has spent her entire life preparing for it. But to everyone’s shock, it is Gwyneth who unexpectedly travels through time, revealing herself as the true possessor of the gift. Unfortunately, Gwyneth doesn’t have Charlotte’s extensive training in history and etiquette to help her navigate the past. Moreover, it seems that her family, as well as a secret cabal of fellow time-travelers, is keeping a lot of crucial information from her. For example, what is the meaning of the mysterious prophecy involving “the ruby”? Who is the Count Saint-Germain, and what is his plan for Gwyneth? And most importantly, can Gwyneth trust her partner in time travel, Gideon de Villiers, whose unpredictable behavior both frustrates and attracts her?

First off, I’m very glad that I read all these books at once, because there’s definitely no resolution to the story at the end of Ruby Red or Sapphire Blue. I did enjoy the series overall, but in looking back, I find myself focusing more on its flaws. The plot feels very cluttered to me: Gwyneth and Gideon are constantly jumping back and forth through time to uncover various secrets, yet at the same time, nothing much really happens until about halfway through the second book. The series sets up lots of mysteries, but most of them are fairly easy to solve. It all just felt a little overwrought to me. Also, I was not a fan of the romance; I don’t think Gwyneth should have put up with Gideon’s mixed signals and condescending behavior! I do have to say, I was impressed with how the time travel itself was handled; the timeline of the series makes sense, and I didn’t catch any glaring logical inconsistencies. If you like the genre and don’t mind YA, this series is worth a read, but I’m glad I got the books from the library instead of buying them.